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Saturday, 5 August 2017

With the wind in our ears

summer lunch from the garden

chocolate cake

It turns out that puppies are surprisingly hard to photograph. All that wild unpredictable motion. Brown ones are especially tricky. We took him on his first big outing today, up to the common. All that space. All those dogs. Grass higher than his head. Oh it was exciting. Seeing him galloping along with the wind in his tail having fun is very satisfying. I think the whole dog thing will grow on me. Just as soon as I've had the phone re-cabled...

We've been out and about in between showers, scooting and skating and puppy walking and even a spot of uniform buying. I'm trying to get that tackled early on to get it out of the way. Swimming has been a big hit this summer. Might be something to do with Adam Peaty. I tend to sit and watch, or to be more accurate not watch. I do a bit of writing or reading. It really is quite a luxury not to have to hover over the children all the time these days. A spot of peace! I try and use the time wisely. A little planning for the novel that I mentioned. Thank you for all of your lovely supportive comments, and for saying you'd read it, you are wonderful. Best write it now then.

Have a lovely Sunday. I shall be busying around doing the usual home / dog / garden / kitchen / children things. And trying to squeeze in a bit of writing time when no-one is looking and it's all peaceful. Might even get a whole five minutes. CJ xx

I enjoyed seeing what you've been up to. Sounds like a rather perfect summer, actually. We gave up our phone landline and just use our cell phones now. No one ever called on it anyway. :-) Your pup really is a love. Looks like you have a budding baker too.. nice! Our little guys are on our boat crabbing tday.. I hope they get some! Good luck on your writing. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Top of the world in those photos. Fabulous countryside. Gorgeous puppy- he is growing! We've been glued to the athletics, especially bolt and mo. Brilliant stuff. Good luck with the writing. It's a soothing activity I find. Enjoy your Sunday my friend. I will be running over the cliffs in the HM :o) xx

Lovely post and pictures which remind of the expression...life's best simple pleasures. Good to see Bertie enjoying himself although I gather he's been chewing what he shouldn't have!Thanks, and you too. xx

Beautiful photos CJ. What a lovely summer you are having. I remember well how sporting events can affect the weft and warp of the summer holidays. I just love being on the top of a hill too and after a quick pick at the allotment I'll be cycling up my local hill to count butterflies. Have a lovely day running around with your boys.

Too funny, I always said the same about photographing puppies, and babies! They never stopped moving. He's getting really big. I'm glad everyone is enjoying swimming this summer. It's always a hit here. Mine aren't very athletic but they both took right to swimming at a young age, so I'm glad we've kept with it. I wish I were a better swimmer, or at least a bolder one. I hope your week is a good one, CJ.

Puppies are fast! Brown dogs are difficult to photograph also, it is tricky to capture their expression and get the colour right. I hope the telephone is fixed :-) We have still not fixed the Wii cable that Jack chewed up nearly three years ago. I am so pleased you are able to snatch a few moments here and there to write. I hope you'll have another good week. xx

Your photos have me wanting to fly over the pond to you! How beautiful. And your little guy against that backdrop. Here's hoping you make him civilized soon! ;-D

Your summer sounds like it's easing towards comfort. I am so excited to hear that your writing is going well, I promised to email and I will...tomorrow. I don't want to jot this off--we are serious about each other, right?

It sounds like you are spending the summer holidays just as they should be. I do hope you find plenty of spare moments for your writing... I'll definitely read the results! And black dogs are impossible to photograph too... Hector mostly just looks all eyes and teeth!

Love those pictures. You've reminded me that I spent long hours as a parent at swimming events, using the time to write my dissertation. Just had to make sure I jumped up and cheered at the right moment.

ah, the wind in our ears! utterly encapsulates the joy of things. i liked nothing better than seeing my Oscar's ears all a-billow as he stood, Lassie-style, surveying all of the wonder before him. It's not a bad way to go on, is it?

sounds as if your summer has been a lovely one thus far. may it continue! xoxo

Hey CJ,Just catching up on my blog reading. Are those figs homegrown? I still need to be in the pool with Olly, but he's getting stronger every time we go. Your common looks lovely. Is it high up? I like being up high and looking down, if I can have feet planted on the floor at the same time. And yes, I await the novel with breath baited.Leanne xx

Such gorgeous pictures CJ, that view is wonderful. Glad to read that you're having a good summer with a little time for pondering while the children are busy. So exciting to hear about your writing aspirations, I look forward to following as you knit your story together x

I'm super-impressed – three boys and a puppy and you're drafting a novel! Go CJ. I think you're absolutely right in that if you can follow a complicated knitting pattern, you can weave the threads of story together to write a novel. I specialise in non-fiction but if you want any editorial advice, I'd be happy to read through a draft when you've done it. Hope you're having a lovely summer. Sam x

Hello CJ, haven't been around blogland for a while and it seems I've missed a whole lot of puppiness. What a gorgeous boy, I'm so pleased you took the plunge (last time I visited I think you were still considering); the puppy antics will pass (chewing cables, puddles, etc.), it only seems like never. I hope you're finding time for that novel - I will be buying a copy for sure. Hope you're enjoying the summer hols. Jane xx

Lovely photos, lovely views. I recognise them from my childhood, though I've not been back for a long time. It's one of the reasons I keep coming back to your blog, enjoying the familiarity of the landscape. I enjoy your garden too, and the knitting and reflection on books, and empathise with the difficulty of fitting in things you long to do amidst the demands, and enjoyment, of family life. Thank you. Keep posting the photos please! The ones of your Welsh holiday are lovely too.

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Welcome to Above the River. I'm CJ and this is where I talk about life as it happens to me, in a small market town in South Gloucestershire, where I live with my other half and our three boys. I like making things and growing things. If you'd like to comment, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting.